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Imx 38
Designer: Niels Jeppesen  ·  Builder: X Yachts  ·  First built: 1992
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About the Imx 38

Danish designer Niels Jeppesen created the IMX 38 as a sophisticated performance cruiser that bridges the gap between serious racing capability and comfortable coastal cruising. Built by the renowned X Yachts from 1992 to 2000, this masthead sloop represents the yard's commitment to producing fast, well-built fiberglass sailboats with impeccable finish quality. With its fin keel and bulb configuration paired with a spade rudder, the IMX 38 delivers exceptional upwind performance and responsive handling characteristics that racing sailors appreciate. The substantial ballast ratio and moderate displacement create a stiff, stable platform capable of carrying sail in fresh conditions, while the generous sail area ensures excellent light-air performance for cruising applications. Only 92 hulls were produced during the eight-year production run, making this a relatively exclusive design that has maintained strong resale values. The boat's 31-foot waterline length and efficient hull shape generate impressive boat speeds, with the design optimized for both coastal racing circuits and extended offshore passages. X Yachts' reputation for meticulous construction quality means these boats have aged exceptionally well, offering buyers a proven combination of performance, durability, and sailing refinement that works equally well for weekend racing or comfortable coastal cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.17 ft / 9.50 m
Beam 12.11 ft / 3.69 m
Max Draft 6.95 ft / 2.12 m
Displacement 11,795.00 lb / 5,350 kg
Ballast 6,173.00 lb / 2,800 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 910.95 ft² / 84.63 m²
Headroom 6.13 ft / 1.87 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Niels Jeppesen
Builder X Yachts
First Built 1992
Last Built 2000
Number Built 92
Related Sailboats ["Tartan 3800" · "C&C 38" · "Tripp 38" · "Gambler 38" · "Hallberg Rassy 382"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 28.23
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 52.34
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 173.88
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.13
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.48
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.68
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.0
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 22.28
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 50.88
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.43
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.8
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.07
SA Fore 367.1
SA Main 351.93
SA Total (100%) 719.03 ft² / 66.80 m²
Est. Forestay Length 52.89 ft / 16.12 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 28
LOD 37.40 ft / 11.40 m
How It Compares

vs. C&C 38, Gambler 38, Tripp 38

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Imx 38 ★
—
C&C 38
38.0 ft
Gambler 38
38.0 ft
Tripp 38
38.0 ft
LWL
Imx 38 ★
31.2 ft
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
28.0 ft
Tripp 38
32.3 ft
Beam
Imx 38 ★
12.1 ft
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
11.9 ft
Tripp 38
12.3 ft
Displacement
Imx 38 ★
11 lbs
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
11 lbs
Tripp 38
10 lbs
Ballast
Imx 38 ★
6 lbs
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
5 lbs
Tripp 38
5 lbs
Sail Area
Imx 38 ★
910 sq ft
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
—
Tripp 38
672 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Imx 38 ★
—
C&C 38
111 s/nm
Gambler 38
—
Tripp 38
65 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Imx 38 ★
28.2
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
—
Tripp 38
22.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Imx 38 ★
52.3 %
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
47.5 %
Tripp 38
55.2 %
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Imx 38 ★
2.13
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
—
Tripp 38
2.26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Imx 38 ★
173
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
239
Tripp 38
139
Hull Speed
Imx 38 ★
7.5 kts
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
—
Tripp 38
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Imx 38 ★
3.7
C&C 38
—
Gambler 38
—
Tripp 38
4.3
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